New 2023 Solitude 345GK and GMC 3500 5th wheel question

[jrowlan]

We are in the process of purchasing a 345GK to pull behind our 2022 GMC 3500 SRW. I'm looking at the B&W Companion puck install. The question is, should I get the slider or fixed. The dealer said both would work, so I'm looking for a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion.

Sorry I forgot...It's a standard (short) bed.

[MoonShadow_1911]

We are in the process of purchasing a 345GK to pull behind our 2022 GMC 3500 SRW. I'm looking at the B&W Companion puck install. The question is, should I get the slider or fixed. The dealer said both would work, so I'm looking for a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion.

Is it a short bed? If so I'd recommend a slider. If it is a long bed, then no slider. Just my opinion.

[Usmc616]

While many newer fifth wheel front ends are angled to minimize contacting the truck cab you can never go wrong with a slider in a short bed truck.

[traveldawg]

I am solidly in the slider category. The kind that is automatic; simply because the first time you 'think' things will be OK will be the first time you camper and the truck have a meeting.

[clange]

I agree with going with a slider and that B&W is a quality product. I had a short bed and used a Pullrite Superglide with it so I never had to remember to get out to activate the slide mechanism. I was super happy with it and it was well built and customer service was great. I’d not hesitate to get another if I ever needed one.

[Calbar]

We are in the process of purchasing a 345GK to pull behind our 2022 GMC 3500 SRW. I'm looking at the B&W Companion puck install. The question is, should I get the slider or fixed. The dealer said both would work, so I'm looking for a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion.

Sorry I forgot...It's a standard (short) bed.

With the B&W Companion you can adjust it to allow it to sit back. With the single point I can adjust mine up to 7" behind the gooseneck attachment. I would look to see what you can do with the puck system but if I recall it is 5". In my RAM I have mine at 5" back and have backed into some pretty tight places without any issues. Just remember that a slider will be very heavy and you are towing with a SRW and need to be weight conscious so you don't overload your rear axle.

Rob

[mrcomer]

We've had a short bed truck since 2003 with a slider hitch. I never used the slider option.

[nprario]

You are going to be tight on payload with that unit with a SRW unit. The slider is a very heavy unit. The new Chevy standard be units are 6'9" long and the puck system place the BW hitch just aft of the axle and mine is set fullly toward the rear. I went with the BW non slider because of the weight as I wanted to be able to install and remove without some sort of lifting device. Also another 100 pounds or so of payload can't hurt. I can get to almost 90 degrees with it and you really should not really need to do that. Here are some pictures to show you what it is capable of in non slider form. The front of the truck is actually going up hill a bit in these photos

[jh2pizza]

Taking Payload weights and space into consideration, would it make sense to look at an offset gooseball and a GooseBox or Gey Y hitch? This should give them clearance and a much lighter system than a slider hitch.

[Calbar]

You are going to be tight on payload with that unit with a SRW unit. The slider is a very heavy unit. The new Chevy standard be units are 6'9" long and the puck system place the BW hitch just aft of the axle and mine is set fullly toward the rear. I went with the BW non slider because of the weight as I wanted to be able to install and remove without some sort of lifting device. Also another 100 pounds or so of payload can't hurt. I can get to almost 90 degrees with it and you really should not really need to do that. Here are some pictures to show you what it is capable of in non slider form. The front of the truck is actually going up hill a bit in these photos

Just a note on this that his Solitude is 5" wider than your reflection so he won't be able to get this close to 90 degrees. I can get to about 75 degrees or so.

Rob